Eight months after the resignation of civil engineer Sir Philip Dilley because he couldn’t stand the heat, his successor as chair of the Environment Agency has been chosen – his deputy.

Above: Emma Howard Boyd

Emma Howard Boyd has been appointed chair of the Environment Agency. The recruitment panel did not have to look far for her. She has been on the board since 2009, deputy chair since 2015 and acting chair since Sir Philip Dilley’s resignation in January 2016.

Dilley, a former boss of consulting engineer Ove Arup, resigned after less than 16 months in the job following media criticism for sunning himself in the Caribbean while the north of England was submerged by floods. [See our previous report here.]

Emma Howard Boyd’s professional experience is in finance, having spent 20 years with Jupiter Asset Management until 2014. In the summer of 2013 she cycled 1200 miles across the Arctic Circle

Environment secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “Emma brings unrivalled experience, leadership and enthusiasm to the Environment Agency and I very much look forward to working with her.”

The new Environment Agency chair herself said: “It’s an honour to be appointed chair of the Environment Agency. It is a fantastic organisation making a real difference to the environment, wildlife and local communities. There are big challenges ahead - ensuring the country is more resilient to extreme weather, protecting and enhancing the environment, and promoting sustainable growth – I look forward to playing my part.”